A SENIOR legal figure with knowledge of the police informers scandal is poised to give evidence to Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog.

That evidence, if given to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, could expose serious mishandling of informers.

The force’s “human source” division was shut down after a review.

It is understood the legal figure will next week write to former Supreme Court judge Murray Kellam, whom IBAC appointed to investigate.

Senior police are also considering voluntarily making statements to Mr Kellam over the use of human sources in major criminal investigations. Several other public officials and lawyers have told the Herald Sun they are also open to telling what they know if questioned about matters concerning the use of police informers.

They could shed light on a high-risk strategy which has led to a review of up to 20 major cases and which had the potential to endanger lives.

It is also understood the legal figure wants to raise serious concerns about police undertakings, leaks, risk assessments, and alleged corruption.

The police informers scandal has far-reaching implications. Civil legal action is being prepared against state and federal authorities.

It can also be revealed that the legal figure wants IBAC to examine:

WHETHER judicial processes were undermined.

WHETHER perjury or misconduct has been committed by those in public office.

BULLYING and mismanagement by those in powerful positions.

EXTRAVAGANT deals done with witnesses.

The Herald Sun has been told practices used in relation to human sources were bungled and led to prosecutions — including against corrupt police — being compromised.

We have chosen not to identify the senior legal figure.

Police secretly paid out millions of dollars to Victorians helping them with cases under the reign of police chief Simon Overland.

Critics of the police handling of human sources say a lust from the force’s top echelon to tackle major organised crime and police corruption drove controversial practices.

Victoria Police’s sharing of information with the Australian Federal Police and Australian Crime Commission could also be probed by IBAC.

It is believed more than 100 people from crime-fighting bodies could know of unorthodox practices used by police to gain information.

IBAC has coercive powers to summon witnesses to appear under oath, demand production of documents, and conduct searches.

It is not known whether its investigation will conclude in public or private hearings.

The handling of human sources — including gangland figure Carl Williams, who was murdered in prison — was the subject of a dispute between Mr Overland and his deputy, Sir Ken Jones.

Using civilians to help police became a matter of contention after police informer Terence Hodson and wife Christine were slain.

At least one major crime figure is investigating whether he can lodge an appeal concerning matters relating to informers.

THE Police Informer Scandal is a story Victoria Police does not want you to know about.

The Herald Sun has a different view. We believe Victorians have a right to know when something has gone wrong within Victoria Police, a force that this newspaper believes, in the main, serves the community well and honestly.

There is much we would like to tell you today. However, in part through the actions of Victoria Police, we are prevented from doing so.

But we are heartened that this state’s anti-corruption watchdog believes that, buried deep within the force, something about its handling of informers, and whether that compromised the legal system, requires examination.

In April, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission announced that it would investigate the use of police informers, stating:

“Commissioner Stephen O’Bryan, SC, said IBAC is seeking information from ­Victoria Police to determine whether there has been any potential police misconduct ...

“The public demand confidence in police. If there has been police misconduct, we will further investigate this thoroughly and fairly.”

Then, on July 14, IBAC announced that it had broadened its investigation, appointing an eminent former judge, Murray Kellam, QC, to lead the anti-corruption investigation.

“The Honourable Murray Kellam, AO, QC, has been appointed by the IBAC Commissioner to examine the conduct of Victoria Police ... and, in particular, whether or not such management has complied with appropriate ethical and legal obligations,” it said.

Today, we report that two figures are preparing to provide information — separately — to the Kellam investigation.

One is a legal figure. The other we’ll call a senior police figure. Both have information we believe is of importance to investigators.